Eglu Cube, auto door, walk in run for sale South West London

[Lavenders_Blue]

Over the last few weeks I've had a bit of a run of softees from my ex-batts. I think it's a combination of them getting older (I have had them 9 months now) plus the volume of eggs they are laying at the moment. I am getting 3-4 eggs every day from 4 hens

 

I have been supplementing with Calcivet, which has helped to a certain extent, but as they have the ex-batts feed I don't think they actually need any extra calcium. What I would like is for them to slow down their egg laying a bit instead!

 

What do people think about trying a DIY mixed grains diet with ex-batts? Is it likely to help them slow down their laying? I don't want them to stop laying altogether, but quite honestly 6-7 eggs a week from each of these poor girls is more than enough.

 

Would the mixed grains provide them with everything they need in their diet for good strong eggs (as well as good strong hens ), or could I perhaps try, for example, ex-batts crumb in the morning and mixed grains in the afternoon? Presumably I would need to include both oyster shell AND flint grit in the diet to supplement the grains?

 

And (last question, I promise) how long do the grains store for? As with only 4 hens to feed, each of the bags is likely to last for quite some time and I obviously don't want the grains to stale.

 

Any thoughts on this would be really appreciated!

[Patricia W]

Someone on here mixes their own food, but I'm not sure if that includes ex-bats. I use the Allen and Paige ex-bat pellets for my ex-bats and my others. I give them tuna, yogurt etc from time to time too. I think it's normal for ex -bats to stop laying, lay softees etc I know one of mine only lays occasionally and the shells are soft. The other two lay normal eggs every day. I wouldn't expect too much of them whether you mix their own food or not.

 

I hope someone comes on with the " recipe" anyway

 

Tricia

[Griffin]

I mix my own grains and I have to say it doesn't make a huge difference, the hybrids & ex-batts lay just as much as before. There was a drop in production initially when I started feeding grains last year but not now. Shell quality isn't an issue, it was with one of my hybrids on a pellet diet. With just four hens the sacks of grain would last a long long time! If it's stored in a cool, dry place I'm sure it'll be fine.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Thanks both for your thoughts.

Patricia - my girls are already on the Allen and Page ex batts crumbs and they have been doing really well on it until now. I think it's the volume of eggs they are laying that is the problem as much as anything. When they have days off, the egg shell quality is noticeably better the next day. Just wish they would slow down!

Griffin - I'm interested that you say the egg shell quality is better on the mixed grains feed. Do you supplement with anything (limestone flour, oystershell, cod liver oil etc)? And would you mind sharing your recipe? I wonder if there is anywhere I can buy grains in small amounts for a trial run?